Chair

ABSTRACT

A chair ( 1 ) having at least one base ( 5   a,    5   b ) and a seating surface ( 2   a ), wherein at least part of the base ( 5   a,    5   b ) is designed as stowage space ( 3 ).

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a chair comprising at least one base and oneseating surface.

Many types of chairs are known from prior art. They span from aone-legged chair essentially exhibiting a T-shaped profile, tothree-legged, folding camping chairs, with their legs essentiallyforming a triangle at their ends facing towards the ground and theseating surface being stretched when unfolded, to common four-leggedchairs with a seating surface and a back rest for the interior area.

In the prior art chairs, it is disadvantageous that particularly foractivities outside the house in the camping field the chair only servesseating purposes.

SUMMARY

The objective of the present invention is therefore to expand thepotential utilization of the chair without considerably aggravating itsproduction and simultaneously not essentially increasing the dimensionsof the chair.

This objective is attained in a chair comprising at least one base andone seating surface such that at least a part of the base is embodied asstowage space.

In the embodiment according to the invention, at least a portion of thebase is a stowage space so that the potential ways of use areconsiderably increased. The stowage space may serve to receive varioussmall parts to be used during the outdoor activities, such as fishinghooks, pocket knives, medication, etc. Simultaneously it is notnecessary to separately carry the above-mentioned objects, whichparticularly reduces the chance of loss of the objects duringtransportation.

Beneficially, the stowage space is embodied in the form of a hollowcylinder, which can be closed particularly in a water tight and/orairtight fashion. The form of the hollow cylinder is advantageous invarious aspects. On the one hand, the form of the base which commonlyhas an essentially annular cross-section is unchanged, and on the otherhand, the form of the hollow cylinder is also very stable. Finally, theround circumferential surface of the hollow cylinder prevents anyinjuries from projecting edges, as occurring for example in a basepartially angular in its cross-section. When the hollow cylinder isadditionally embodied in a water tight and/or airtight fashion theobjects located in the hollow cylinder are also protected fromenvironmental impact, such as rain, snow, dirt, etc.

Beneficially, the stowage space comprises an insert, particularly withrecesses to accept objects. Using this insert any objects required andlocated inside the stowage space can simply be pulled out of it. Therecesses ensure that the objects are not loosely present in the stowagespace and for example can damage each other by contact during thetransportation of the chair.

In order to allow the transportation of the chair in a simple fashion itis beneficial for the chair to be embodied as a folding chair. By afolding motion, for example of the seating surface by 90° in referenceto the base, the chair can be folded together in a space-saving fashion.“Folding” in the sense of the invention also includes a telescopicinsertion, i.e. it is here also possible that the base, at leastpartially, can be pushed together in a telescopic fashion or can itselfbe folded via joints.

In order to ensure a secure placement of the chair and simultaneously toembody the chair itself more stable it is further advantageous that thechair comprises at least two essentially rectangular frames, preferablypivotal in reference to each other.

In order to set a certain angle of the two pivotal frames relative toone another, it is beneficial that means are provided to fix the twopivotal frames. The means for fixation may comprise wing screws withcorresponding nuts, for example, which during the pivoting of the frameare in a released position. When the frame has been pivoted into its endposition for sitting on the chair, the wing screws are fixed by a rotarymotion. Of course, the means for fixation are not limited, here, forexample tape with VELCRO closures, belts, or strings with respectivehooks and corresponding loops are possible as means for fixation, aswell.

It is particularly advantageous when the means for fixation comprise theseating surface. This way, additional means, like the above-mentionedscrews or belts are unnecessary, which renders the production morecost-effective and overall allows a simplified handling.

In order to further improve the development and thus also the stance ofthe chair on the ground it is advantageous for the frames to be arrangedpivotal in reference to each other at essentially half of the length oftheir longitudinal sections.

Beneficially, the stowage space is arranged lowered in the verticaldirection in reference to the seating surface. When a person sits on theseating surface it is avoided, that their legs come into contact withthe upper section of the stowage space and thus reduce the comfort ofthe chair. Simultaneously the opening of the stowage space is also moreeasily accessible for a person, because the accessibility of the openingis then not hindered by the legs of the person.

In order to allow an even easier transportation of the chair it isadvantageous that at least a part of the frame includes a carryinghandle. Due to the fact that the stowage space is essentially determinedby the type, length, etc. of the base it is advantageous that the chaircomprises an additional stowage space. This way, additional objects canbe stowed in the other stowage space; the flexibility of the chair istherefore further increased.

The invention also relates to a backpack. According to the invention thebackpack comprises a chair. This way, the flexibility of the backpack isessentially improved and the comfort of the backpack overall isimproved. In this way a person can use the backpack also as a chair, forexample, to rest when hiking.

In order to increase the stiffness of the backpack and simultaneouslyminimize the space required for the chair it is beneficial for the chairto be embodied as a part of the frame of the backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional advantages and features of the invention are discernible fromthe description of an exemplary embodiment based on the drawings. Shownare:

FIG. 1 a chair according to the invention in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 a chair according to the invention in a perspective viewaccording to FIG. 1 rotated essentially in the clockwise direction by90° about its vertical axis;

FIG. 3 another embodiment of the chair according to the invention in aperspective view;

FIG. 4 a view of a chair according to the invention according to FIG. 3,rotated essentially counter-clockwise by 90° about its vertical axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a chair 1 according to the invention. The chair 1 comprisestwo essentially rectangular frames 5 a, 5 b, which are pivotable inreference to each other essentially at half the length of the longeredges of the respective rectangular sections of the frame 5 a, 5 b.Here, the two frames 5 a, 5 b comprise one or more metal and/or plasticrods and/or tubes, which may also be telescopic in reference to eachother. The two sections of the frame 5 b extending from the bottom lefttowards the top right are here each embodied in the form of hollowcylinders 3, which also perform a supporting function for the chair 1.At the respectively upper ends the hollow cylinders 3 comprise anopening which can be closed in a water-tight fashion by a closure 3 a.

Furthermore, the frame 5 a has in the area 4 on each of the two sidesextending to the ground B essentially at half the vertical height, abulge 8 a that faces inwardly, which serves to compensate for the largerdiameter of the hollow cylinder 3 in reference to the diameter of therods of the frame 5 a so that the chair 1 can be embodied overall in acompact fashion, in spite of the arrangement of the hollow cylinders 3.

At its upper side O, the chair 1 comprises a flexible seating surface 2a, made from a nylon cloth, for example. Here, the cloth comprises notonly the seating area 2 a but extends beyond the upper section of theframe 5 b arranged parallel in reference to the ground B in aperpendicular direction towards the bottom (section 2 b) to the area ofa recess 8 of the section of the frame 5 a resting on the ground andthen further essentially parallel go the ground B with a section 2 c.The section 2 b is finally arranged at the section (shorter section) ofthe frame 5 b extending parallel in reference to the ground.

Additionally, two carrying belts 9 extend, off-set in reference to eachother, from the section of the frame 5 b arranged parallel in referenceto the ground B essentially parallel to the hollow cylinders 3diagonally upwards and are here connected fixed to the section 2 b inthe upper section of the frame 5 b. A backpack 6 is arranged at theoutside of the section 2 b, which in its lower section is arranged at arecess 8 of the frame 5 a where it is secured with a fastening tape 7.In FIG. 1, the hollow cylinders 3 each extend over the entirelongitudinal edge of the frame 5 b from the bottom left to the topright. Here, the hollow cylinders 3 are part of the frames 5 a, 5 b ofthe chair 1 and thus serve supporting functions.

FIGS. 3 and/or 4 show another embodiment of the chair 1 according to theinvention. Contrary to FIGS. 1 and 2, here the frame 5 b has in itsupper section, i.e. in the area of the seating surface 2 a, an essentialvertically effective drop A so that the hollow cylinder 3 no longerextends over the entire edge of the rectangular frame 5 b from thebottom left to the top right.

In the area of the drop A the frame 5 b is essentially embodied as inthe areas extending parallel in reference to the ground. Simultaneously,the backpack 6 is fastened at the section 2 b such that an additionalholding tape 7, as shown in FIGS. 1 and/or 2, is no longer required. InFIGS. 3 and 4, the drop A is embodied symmetrical at both sides. Here,the scope of the invention includes to embody the drop A with differentdimensions at the respective side such that for example the hollowcylinder 3 at the left side of FIG. 4 is shorter and for exampleembodied wider, while the hollow cylinder 3 at the right side in FIG. 4is embodied longer but narrower. Of course, the scope of the inventionincludes providing the recesses 8 a shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 also for theembodiments according to FIGS. 3 and 4. Simultaneously, it is inverselypossible to provide the drops A (in the frame) according to FIGS. 3 and4 also for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The same also applies forthe holding tape 7 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Here, the scope of the invention also includes not closing the hollowcylinder at its respective end but to embody it in a foldable and/orclosable fashion parallel in reference to its longitudinal extensionsuch that the cylinders at least partially can be accessed over theirlength from the outside by a person.

FIGS. 1 through 4 do not show the inserts for the hollow cylinders. Suchinserts are also embodied essentially cylindrical and comprise recessesin their surfaces according to the requirements for the respectiveobjects to be received so that the objects can be entirely insertedtherein. Subsequently the inserts can be inserted via the openings 3 ainto the hollow cylinders 3. In order to remove the inserts then loops,tapes, particularly foldaway handles or the like are provided.

The seating surface 2 commonly comprises a seating width of approx. 15cm to 50 cm and ensures that when a person sits on the seating surface 2a the maximum angle by which the two frames 5 a, 5 b are pivotal inreference to each other is defined by the longitudinal extension of theseating surface, defining the maximum distance between the upperparallel section of the frame 5 a, 5 b extending parallel in referenceto the ground B. The height of the seating surface 2 a in reference tothe ground B commonly amounts from approx. 30 cm to approx. 1 m,depending on specifications.

The hollow cylinders 3 usually have a diameter from approx. 20 mm toapprox. 100 mm. Overall the total weight of the chair without thestowage space is less than 4 kg, and particularly no more than 2.5 kg.

Of course, the scope of the invention includes embodying the backpack 6such that the chair 1 including the seating surface 2 a, the frames 5 a,5 b, and the hollow cylinders 3 can be received entirely within thebackpack 6.

Summarizing, the invention provides the advantage that the flexibilityand simultaneously the handling of chairs is improved withoutessentially increasing the production costs.

1. A chair comprising at least one base (5 a, 5 b) and one seatingsurface (2 a), and at least one part of the base (5 a, 5 b) is a stowagespace (3).
 2. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stowagespace (3) comprises hollow cylinders (3) that can be closed in at leastone of a water-tight or airtight fashion.
 3. A chair (1) according toclaim 1, wherein the stowage space (3) further comprises an insert withrecesses.
 4. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chair (1) isa folding chair.
 5. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chair(1) comprises at least two frames (5 a, 5 b) that are essentiallyrectangular and pivotal in reference to each other.
 6. A chair (1)according to claim 5, wherein means (2 a) are provided for fixing thetwo frames (5 a, 5 b) at a certain angle relative to one another.
 7. Achair (1) according to claim 6, wherein the means for fixation includethe seating surface (2 a).
 8. A chair (1) according to claim 5, whereinthe frames (5 a, 5 b) are essentially arranged pivotal in reference toeach other at half a length (4) of their longitudinal sections.
 9. Achair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stowage space (3) isarranged lowered in a vertical direction in reference to the seatingsurface (2 a).
 10. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least aportion of the frame (5 a, 5 b) comprises a carrying handle (8).
 11. Achair (1) according to claim 2, wherein the chair (1) comprisesadditional stowage space (6).
 12. A chair (1) according to claim 1,wherein the chair is a part of a backpack.
 13. A backpack (6) accordingto claim 12, wherein the chair (1) is embodied as a part of a frame (5a, 5 b) of the backpack (6).